Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Pharmacokinetics of Cannabinoids in Cattle
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Honors Pre-Vet
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Shea Porr, PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been used in complementary medicine for many years. However, modern medicine has little knowledge of how this substance is utilized and broken down in ruminant animals. Regulations on quality assurance and use in animals are lacking, and CBD supplementation in livestock is not approved. If CBD supplements can be shown to be safe and effective, then detection will be important for determining regulations of use. A withdrawal period can then be established to allow time for excretion before livestock products enter human markets. This study sought to determine the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of an oral CBD supplement in ruminant animals. Based upon current knowledge, first appearance of cannabinoids should occur at one hour post administration and increase to peak concentrations at approximately ten hours. An oral gel cannabinoid-containing product designed to be absorbed through mucosal membranes was used in this study. The product was labeled as containing no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Blood collections from the jugular vein of two mature cows occurred at 0 (post-treatment), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 hours. Subjects were housed in outdoor working pens for the duration of the study, with free access to water and hay. The product was found to contain THC, contradicting product labeling. Multiple cannabinoids were detected, which aligned with the guaranteed analysis stated by the manufacturer. Detection of cannabinoids was inconsistent between subjects. Cannabinoids were first detected in plasma at 1 hour post treatment in one subject, and at 12 hours post treatment in the other. Only CBD and 7-hydroxy cannabidiol (CBD-7 acid) were detected during the collection period. Plasma cannabinoid concentrations were still rising at the end of the collection period, indicating that peak concentrations had yet to be reached. Appearance of cannabinoids in plasma indicated that oral gel cannabinoid product was able to be metabolized and absorbed by the ruminant animal. In this study, a half-life of the product was unable to be determined. Future studies should consider expanding sampling numbers and extending collection period.
Spring Scholars Week 2022 Event
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Pharmacokinetics of Cannabinoids in Cattle
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been used in complementary medicine for many years. However, modern medicine has little knowledge of how this substance is utilized and broken down in ruminant animals. Regulations on quality assurance and use in animals are lacking, and CBD supplementation in livestock is not approved. If CBD supplements can be shown to be safe and effective, then detection will be important for determining regulations of use. A withdrawal period can then be established to allow time for excretion before livestock products enter human markets. This study sought to determine the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of an oral CBD supplement in ruminant animals. Based upon current knowledge, first appearance of cannabinoids should occur at one hour post administration and increase to peak concentrations at approximately ten hours. An oral gel cannabinoid-containing product designed to be absorbed through mucosal membranes was used in this study. The product was labeled as containing no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Blood collections from the jugular vein of two mature cows occurred at 0 (post-treatment), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 hours. Subjects were housed in outdoor working pens for the duration of the study, with free access to water and hay. The product was found to contain THC, contradicting product labeling. Multiple cannabinoids were detected, which aligned with the guaranteed analysis stated by the manufacturer. Detection of cannabinoids was inconsistent between subjects. Cannabinoids were first detected in plasma at 1 hour post treatment in one subject, and at 12 hours post treatment in the other. Only CBD and 7-hydroxy cannabidiol (CBD-7 acid) were detected during the collection period. Plasma cannabinoid concentrations were still rising at the end of the collection period, indicating that peak concentrations had yet to be reached. Appearance of cannabinoids in plasma indicated that oral gel cannabinoid product was able to be metabolized and absorbed by the ruminant animal. In this study, a half-life of the product was unable to be determined. Future studies should consider expanding sampling numbers and extending collection period.